The Russian president, who is a well-known wildlife enthusiast, took to the skies to lead a flock of the endangered birds with his motorised glider.Each of the cranes were born in captivity and did not know how to fly south, leading environmentalists to take inspiration from the film Fly Away Home and draft in an imitation bird to guide them in the right direction.

Vladimir Putin before taking to the skies in a micro glider as ‘chief crane’ (Picture: PA)

Putin was photographed in the Yamal peninsula wearing a baggy white costume, with a helmet, gloves and goggles as he took to the skies with a co-pilot.After the ‘Flight of Hope’ journey he looked visibly delighted and told broadcaster Rossiya 24: ‘They got used to it. They are not afraid, they are overtaking the deltaplane.

‘They are overtaking, approaching the wing from the left, from the right, from above. Well done. Beautiful guys. Cute. They are three months old but already quite big,’ he added.

The president made three trips in the glider outside the Kushevat ornithological station near Salekhard, in which he appeared to be enjoying himself in front of the crowds.

Back down to earth: Russian President Vladimir Putin land (Picture: AP)

However, the day was not without controversy, as Masha Gessen, author of a book critical of Putin, claims that she was fired from her role as editor of travel and science magazine Vokrug Sveta after refusing to send a reporter 2,200 miles to cover Putin’s flight with the cranes.